Birthday at the Zoo

Leila's friend, Sadie, turned three this last weekend. We spent a chilly, relaxing Sunday morning at the zoo celebrating Sadie with her friends and family. The party was held in the carousel room, which allowed the  guests endless rides on the carousel. Leila and Sadie took FULL advantage of this!! 

The birthday girl! 

 Cake, frosting, carousel rides, friend and zoo animals...what a perfect Sunday morning!

 The tiger was soooo close to the fence!

Leila's favorite animal was not shy this morning! 

St. Patrick's Day

 I live in a house divided. I LOVE St. Patrick's Day. Christopher DOES NOT.  
As the luck of the Irish would have it,  we are raising a child who loves celebrating with me!! This year, Leila and I made soda bread together for our St. Patty's Day dinner. So good!!! Even better knowing my little leprechaun helped me!

 She took her job of brushing egg on top of the loaf very seriously.

Chris did LIKE the bread...we will keep cultivating his love of St. Patrick's Day!

Maiden Voyage

We lucked out Sunday morning with a small patch of dry weather...just enough for Leila to spend 20 minutes on her brand new bike! She was thrilled! It was a big moment...for all of us. I got a little choked up watching her peddle back and forth down the ally behind our house. She truly is not a baby anymore and while I love watching her grow, it is a little bittersweet at the same time. Her smile was ear to ear though and she kept saying, "I'm doing it!" and "Look, I'm a big girl now!"
You are a big girl, Leila! Daddy and I love you!!

We were only inside about 10 minutes and it started hailing!

And PS - She's gotta get better at watching the road and not her feet or peddles or looking over her shoulder etc....if she doesn't, I am not gonna be the one in the car when she is learning to drive in 12 years!

Growing Up

 Saturday, after Leila's nap, we headed out in search of a new bike for Leila! We had promised her that as soon as Daddy's show was finished we would buy her bigger bike. She picked out a princess bike that even has a baby seat for her dolls! That evening she helped Daddy put it together. We tucked her in that night hoping for just a few minutes of dry weather in the coming day!!

A New Reader!

Last weekend brought two milestones to the Tavern Home. Leila has always loved books, but up until last weekend she has relied on Chris and me to read to her. That changed Saturday afternoon and Leila can now read to us!! We bought her the first set of Bob books to help her learn to read and they are wonderful. I have used them in my first grade classroom for years now, but we bought Leila her own set to keep at home as I am missing a few stories from the set. In one week she is able to read five of the twelve books; Mat, Sam, Dot, Mac and Dot and Mat . We are proud, excited and thrilled parents!

 I will post about the second milestone next...

Love

This last weekend was the first weekend in a few months that we had Daddy all to ourselves! 

 Hugs and kisses for Dad.

Footloose

 Footloose closed the first weekend of March at Emerald Ridge High School. This was Chris's second musical that he directed at the high school level and it was quite the successful event!!!! They sold out two nights! The kids were AMAZING! Jaelene's choreography was SUPERB! Chris's direction and vision were EXCELLENT!! I loved seeing night after night of wonderful, energized theater!
Well done, cast and crew! 

Taylor (the reverend's wife), Chris and Josh (Reverend Moore).

 Jaelene and Chris 

Chris and Ryan (Ren)

My hubby and me. 

 Chris and Mr. Fry (the band director)

The cast and crew (the largest cast Chris has directed)

Footloose made quite the impression with Leila. She is in love with Ryan (Ren) and Jacob (Willard) and still insists on listening to the soundtrack ANY time we are in the car!!! On the Saturday that she saw the show she got Ryan's autograph. 

Monday, at daycare, Leila drew this picture for Ryan. Chris had to take this to him at school on Tuesday. 

I can't wait to see the next Emerald Show Theatre production!!!

Picture Potpourri

 I got to scrolling through the pictures and videos on my phone tonight and came across a few sweet ones that I believe haven't been shared.

Leila and Brother (Quincy) 

Showing off her new Canada t-shirt in December. We got it while visiting Canada to see the Wings play. 

Leila with GG and GP on Christmas Eve morning.

Enjoying the start of the snow storm in January.

While homebound due to the storm, we watched a few of the Star Wars movies. Popcorn, Daddy and Luke Skywalker...what more could Leila ask for?

 Midway through the movies, the jammies came off and the Leia costume went on!

Getting her hair cut at Lucille's. It had gotten pretty long! This was the first time that Leila wanted to have her hair washed in the sink...usually Lucille just sprays Leila's hair. Lucille always wraps our hair like Princess Leia.

We found Gnomeo at Fred Meyer. Now we need a Juliet!!

I love you too, Leila.

The bearded lady...Leila loves to play with my make-up in the mornings.